If you’re like me, you’ve been living in Christmas for – at least – the last month…buying, wrapping & delivering presents, planning and attending holiday parties, pulling together the best of the year’s pictures to create this year’s card (and then getting it printed and sent before it becomes irrelevant), decorating the house to make it merry & bright, organizing different family and friend get-togethers to make sure you have quality time with those most dear, beginning thank you notes before you leave for vacation (to avoid the long list when you get home) and pretty much doing everything except relaxing and enjoying the holidays. Phew! It’s a wonder that, with all there is to do during the holidays, that we ever appreciate and enjoy the real spirit of Christmas.
No matter how busy things get during the holidays, something that always brings me great joy is the beauty of Christmas. There is no holiday of the year which is more decorated than Christmas. I always stop to appreciate the beauty around me, which is just about everywhere during the holidays. Seeing Christmas decorations can’t help but bring a smile to your face in appreciation of the creativity that goes into creating such beauty, allowing us to momentarily forget the chaos.
We tend go a little crazy in our home at Christmastime, thanks to help from Grant, our uber event designer. We just love the holidays, and celebrating the holidays with friends and family.
We ran garland all over our staircase, entryways into our living room and dining room, and over fireplace mantles. We enjoyed these paperwhites in silver vases in our bathrooms and on our nightstands throughout December – such a lovely smell.
Vicki made us a beautiful mistletoe kissing ball this season that we hung from our foyer chandelier – a reminder of Christmas, friendship and love all month long. Our Christmas tree was particularly beautiful this year with 3 colors of lights – white, red and golden – and the usual barrage of ornaments, which we love.
I always enjoy the centerpieces and flower arrangements for our dinners at this time of year as I never see this unique combination of flowers at any other time of the year. Although, why not?
At this time of year, I am grateful for the friends and family in my life that mean so much to me. The holidays have a way of reminding us of what’s most important in our lives.
As this card, sent by our friend Connie, says…
Vicki and I wish you a very Merry Christmas!
